Monday, October 1, 2012

UPDATE ON PEANUT BUTTER-CAUSED ILLNESSES

It's only nine days since Trader Joe's recalled its Creamy Salted Valencia peanut Butter because of contamination with Salmonella bacteria. And it's only a week since Sunland, Inc., the manufacturer, then recalled many other products (including ones made with seeds as well as other nuts), because the same equipment had been used.

This is now a large multi-state recall in the U.S. Other brand names involved in this inter-linked recall include Archer Farms, Earth Balance, Fresh & Easy, Late July, Heinen's, Joseph's, Natural Value, Naturally More, Open Nature, Peanut Power Butter, Serious Food, Snaclite Power, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sprout's, Sunland, Dogsbutter and many more small and larger companies which used these products to make cakes, candies, chocolates, ice-cream, sandwiches, and more.

Reportedly the outbreak of illnesses have only been linked to the Trader Joe's peanut butter product - not to these others. Illness onset dates range from June 11, 2012 to September 11, 2012. So far, a total of 30 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been confirmed in 19 states, according to the CDC. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year to 77 years, with a median age of 7 years. Most of those illnesses have been among children under age 10. Oddly, about two thirds of those who became ill were male (do male children eat more peanut butter?). In all, four of the ill people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Let's hope there won't be any.

Although it looks as though the illnesses have wound down, you may want to follow the CDC advice until the ongoing investigation tells us more. Here it is, quoting:

Consumers who recently purchased recalled peanut butter or other products containing nuts and seeds are advised not to eat them and dispose of any remaining jars of these products or return the jars to the place of purchase.

Be a smart consumer - check your supplies today, including any you may have bought through the internet.